Yes, being married in the Army generally results in more money and benefits, primarily through the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which increases significantly for dependents, allowing off-base living, plus access to spousal benefits like healthcare and commissary privileges, though it also brings responsibilities like Family Readiness Group meetings. Married soldiers get more funds for housing and food allowances, unlike single soldiers who live in barracks and eat at chow halls (though higher-ranking single soldiers often get BAH too).
Do you get paid more in the military if you're married? In addition to an increase in the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), service members with dependents (including a spouse) may get a higher cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) when stationed overseas in a higher-cost area.
Other benefits include:
The US Military has done a lot of social research over the years. Studies show that married men are, on average, more disciplined, reliable and driven to succeed vs. single men. The Army incentivises marraige because a married Soldier is a better Soldier, overall.
As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, including health care, life insurance, or money for school. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.
Major Life Challenges for Military Spouses
SBP provides up to 55 percent of a service member's retired pay to an eligible beneficiary upon the death of the member. After the service member passes away, the SBP annuity is paid out monthly to the surviving spouse, or to the child or children of the member.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
If you get married before joining the military, this tax-free housing allowance begins on the very first day of active duty (the first day of basic training). If one waits until after joining the military to get married, the housing allowance becomes effective on the date of the marriage.
Lawyer: The 10/10 rule means at least 10 years of marriage during at least 10 years of military service creditable toward retirement eligibility. [2] You have to qualify for 10/10 rule compliance in order for the monthly payments to Julietta to come from the government, and not from you writing a monthly check to her.
Getting married before receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders simplifies the process. When a service member is legally married before the orders are issued, their spouse can be added to the orders, which allows the government to cover dependent travel and transportation costs.
Scenario 1: The 20-20-20 Rule
20: You were married to the same sponsor or service member for at least 20 years. 20: All 20 years of marriage overlap the 20 years of creditable (active or reserve) service that counted toward your sponsor's retirement.
The 10/10 rule allows for direct payment of retirement if the marriage and service each lasted at least 10 years during the same timeframe. The 20/20/20 rule offers broader benefits, such as Tricare and base access, when all three factors—marriage length, service time, and their overlap—hit the 20-year mark.
Frequent Moves and Deployments: Military life often involves frequent moves and long periods of separation due to deployments. This can put a strain on the relationship and require a great deal of patience and resilience.
Family Separation Allowance (FSA) was increased for the first time in over 20 years. Monthly FSA will increase from $250 to $400 with recommendations on additional increases included in each Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC).
Military Pay
Most also receive a variety of allowances, special pays and bonuses depending on things like deployment, paygrade and military job. For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
However, spouses of servicemembers do not get a salary or a subsistence allowance. Married service members get an increase in their housing allowance. A military couple will get an increased Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to offset the cost of off-base housing.
Army Rule 17 reads as under:“17. Dismissal or removal by Chief of the Army Staff and by other officers. — Save in the case where a person is dismissed or removed...
The Army provides valuable benefits to its married personnel. The best housing goes to families, leaving single soldiers to share barracks. Wages are higher for active-duty soldiers with dependents, and higher still for those sent overseas, where the pay is tax-free.
While many factors contribute, many experts point to poor communication (especially criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling) and a breakdown in emotional connection/trust, often stemming from dishonesty or disrespect, as the #1 things that destroy marriages, eroding intimacy and making partners feel unheard and unloved over time. Infidelity, financial stress, and shifting priorities (like putting family/in-laws above spouse) are also major contributors that feed these core issues.
survived the dreaded two-year mark (i.e. the most common time period when couples break up), then you're destined to be together forever… right? Unfortunately, the two-year mark isn't the only relationship test to pass, nor do you get to relax before the seven-year itch.
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling specific, regular quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (getaway) every 7 weeks, and a romantic holiday every 7 months, often without kids, to foster intimacy, reduce stress, and prevent routine from overtaking the relationship. It's about consistent, intentional efforts to prioritize the partnership.
One of the most significant benefits of being a retired military spouse is continued access to TRICARE, the military's health insurance program. TRICARE offers comprehensive medical coverage to retired military families, including hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health services.
Should a Service Person or Veteran die, their eligible dependants – spouse, civil partner, eligible partner, or eligible children – will receive Armed Forces pension benefits. Here we provide an overview of the family pension entitlements for Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS) '75, '05 and '15.
DIRECT PAYMENT OF RETIRED PAY TO A FORMER SPOUSE
Under the USFSPA, no more than 50 percent of a member's disposable retired pay will be sent as a direct payment. However, if there are garnishments for alimony or child support, up to 65 percent may be sent as a direct payment.